Sexual violence against indigenous women in Guatemala

Speaker: Gabriela Rivera

During the 20th century and on into the 21st, a number of countries in Central and South America have witnessed concerted assaults on indigenous populations. Among the victims have been the Q’eqchi, a Maya people. A human rights lawyer from Guatemala, Gabriela Rivera is currently pursuing justice for Q'eqchi women who have been victimized by sexual violence, among them being a group of women who were subjected to sexual and domestic slavery by members of the Guatemalan Army during the 1980's.

Ms. Rivera has a long history of working with women who have endured violence or have been deprived of their freedom. She has also participated in preparing and presenting petitions to the Inter-American Commission for Human Rights, and she has consulted and advised in individual human rights cases. She is currently working with the Association of Women Transforming the World (MTM), a branch of the Alliance for Breaking the Silence and Ending Impunity.

This event is co-sponsored by the OSU School of Language, Culture, and Society and the President's Commission on the Status of Women.